Anyone wanna help with HDR?

[Evangelion]

Hello folks. I have often seen people post great HDR-pictures in here. And whenever I try to create a HDR-image, the end-result is.... less than good. I'm not sure where the problem is. I keep on fiddling with the settings, and the end-result seems to go from bad to worse.

So, the idea I have is this: one of our resident HDR-gurus posts three different exposures that we, the learners, could then try to combine in to single HDR-image. The teacher could also post his version of the HDR-image, showing rest of us that "this is possible". We could then discuss various ways to create the HDR and how different settings affect the result. If the guru is up to it, he could also show us step-by-step route from the original to the final HDR-image, showing us how the image evolves and how different setting affect the image.

How about it, HDR-gurus :)?

[termina3]

I'm not an HDR guru. You're probably looking for valdore.

Have you checked out the HDR thread? It has a basic tutorial. Although not as in-depth as what you're proposing, it might help.

[Evangelion]

I'm not an HDR guru. You're probably looking for valdore.

Have you checked out the HDR thread? It has a basic tutorial. Although not as in-depth as what you're proposing, it might help.

IIRC, I read it a while ago, but I haven't checked it recently. And I have read various tutorials, but no use.

The thing is that when I try to create a HDR, and end up with something that looks like a turd on a stick, I can't be sure that is it because the source-material (the original pictures) were unsuitable, because I made mistakes when turning those images to HDR or because there's something wrong with my system. With the approach I proposed we would be starting from a common ground and we would be shown what is possible with the provided material. That way we could see where mistakes are being made.

[G.T.]

I would love someone to post 3 exposures so we can all show our different out comes. I have had experience with creating hdr but I don't have a tripod for my dslr and I know you can use a single raw image but its not the same.

[zebbz]

i wouldnt say im a hdr-guru
but to keep the thread moving

heres three exposures of an image i processed from a raw file as opposed to taking three individual pictures

uploaded to sendspace as a zip

http://www.sendspace.com/file/v9u2o1

and heres what i achieved using photomatix

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3196539103_d0572eb459_o.jpg

im quite happy with it.

[G.T.]

You can see that the photoshop one is less vibrant however more natural.

152956

This is done in Photomatix.

152957

I would like to know the kind of filters people use to make colours seem more striking.

[zebbz]

i try and make the black point so that the blacks are darker
and the colour saturation a bit higher

that might be the things u need to do to make ures look a bit more vibrant.

[Evangelion]

I'll try to do my version later today :). Thanks!

[SuperSpiker]

I highly recommend this HDR Tutorial (http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-tutorial/).

It's very detailed and assumes nothing.

Hope it helps you.

[sl1200mk2]

I highly recommend this HDR Tutorial (http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-tutorial/).

It's very detailed and assumes nothing.

Hope it helps you.

Wow... nice one! Thank you!

Regards,

Wayne

[Evangelion]

I highly recommend this HDR Tutorial (http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-tutorial/).

It's very detailed and assumes nothing.

Hope it helps you.

I read that a while ago. But my HDR's still look like crap. I'm just about to start working on the example-pictures posted here

OK, here's my take. I went for a slightly surreal look.

It looks better (and more HDR-like) than what I have generally accomplished with my own images (that end up looking grainy and crappy). So the problem might be with the source-images I take. Now I need to figure out what it is that I'm doing wrong when taking the pictures...

The one extra modification I made is that I resized the image so I can attach it directly to the discussion.

OK, let's see what you guys can come up with these images. If you are interested, I came up with this (http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=153501&d=1232283779) (well, that picture has some editing done to it, besides tonemapping, but still.

[PimpDaddy]

I got this in 3 minutes in Photomatix and Photoshop.

Edit: Tone mapped in Photomatix and auto curves + noise reduction in photoshop.

[G.T.]

This time I think I prefer the sky in the Photoshop one however I never made the highlights very striking, so the other image is more attractive (done in Photomatix).

[namethisfile]

This time I think I prefer the sky in the Photoshop one however I never made the highlights very striking, so the other image is more attractive (done in Photomatix).

these images don't look that bad for hdr. i like the clouds and the landscape. although, the sky is a bit overwhelming compared to the rest of the image.

[thr33face]

OK, let's see what you guys can come up with these images. If you are interested, I came up with this (http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=153501&d=1232283779) (well, that picture has some editing done to it, besides tonemapping, but still.

i played with your 3 exp. in photoshop and came up with this:
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/2287/37338844lx5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
maybe the colours ar too strong

[DoFoT9]

hey everyone, finally decided to try this, took 3 pictures with a standard camera - i literally have no idea what im doing.. dont even know how to save it haha (had to take a screenshot).

very interested in trying to make some good looking pictures! any tips?!?!

(original image is attached too)

[DoFoT9]

and this is the other image :)

[shady825]

hey everyone, finally decided to try this, took 3 pictures with a standard camera - i literally have no idea what im doing.. dont even know how to save it haha (had to take a screenshot).

very interested in trying to make some good looking pictures! any tips?!?!

(original image is attached too)

You have to start with a good picture. Turning a crappy picture into a HDR wont make it a better photo

[DoFoT9]

You have to start with a good picture. Turning a crappy picture into a HDR wont make it a better photo

haha true, i didnt exactly have anywhere to go though. it was midnight!!